I really like your idea about putting more bottling info on the label. I also really like the fact that there is info on ER 17. I'd like to see more on Stagg besides the proof. I do think some bottles are made up of too many barrels to list on the label; however, it would be interesting to know how many go into a bottle.

Some have raised the issue of the high price on these experimental bottles, as a reason for passing up on these bottles. Price for me isn't the main issue of why I'd pass on these bottles. If they were at barrel proof and not chill filtered, I could see them being worth the price or even a higher price. I guess I'm the only one writing on this thread who cares about proof and chill filtering, which is unfortunate. Both of these factors really do affect the bourbon. Given the small size of the production run, I'm really surprised BT decided to water down and filter the bourbon. I would guess BT knows something I don't know about their consumers. Perhaps even among SBers price really does matter in the end.

-TMH aka Tim3

You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on. -Dean Martin

Your best bet is to contact Buffalo Trace and let them guide you to the retailers in your area that are receiving an allocation.

You can also try the retailer finder on their web site, then contact the retailer and ask them. This has the benefit of sending a demand signal through the supply chain, which has long term benefits for the availablity of premium bourbons in your area.

Hey Marketing Guys

Originally Posted by TMH

I guess I'm the only one writing on this thread who cares about proof and chill filtering...

Not at all, Tim. I wrote, and recomposed, and edited, and then deleted a message that I thought was too strongly worded. I lost at least 1/2 of my interest in these when I read that they are going to be stripped and diluted to that extent.

I do like the small bottle concept, though, a lot. I have dozens of bottles that are open, but rarely empty one (except for mixers and the bulk stuff that makes sauces). Fifty dollars for a small bottle gets me a few years worth of sipping, the way I do small pours and skip around between my open bottles. Two small bottles in my bunker would be much more useful to me than one big one.

Hey, Marketing Guys -
If I were ever asked to be in a survey, here are the two things I'd like to say:

1) The phrase "Un-chill Filtered" gets my attention more than anything else you can put on the label. To me it says "The Good Stuff" the way we're told "Bottled in Bond" was considered in the Good Ole Days.

2) Every time I consider buying an "under proof" bourbon (which to me means less than 100 proof) I do some mental math to calculate how diminished the bourbon is by water. I'll think things like "this is a blended bourbon; 72% barrel proof, 28% water." Then I usually get confused by the math, and wander off.
Really guys, is it wise to have bourbon customers trying to do math in their head when they're just trying to buy a drink? Consider the Wandering Off Factor - it could be considerable.

All that said, I buy a lot of Buffalo Trace products, and never turn one down.

Hey, Marketing Guys -
If I were ever asked to be in a survey, here are the two things I'd like to say:

1) The phrase "Un-chill Filtered" gets my attention more than anything else you can put on the label. To me it says "The Good Stuff" the way we're told "Bottled in Bond" was considered in the Good Ole Days.
Roger

ditto, I agree 100% with this point. I think BT, overall, is taking things in the right direction, and I hope others will take the opportunity to continue to push the quality envelope of bourbon.

local vendor

I emailed my local vendor that had Pappy 23 and asked them if they could get any BT experimental or have heard anything about it. I will report back if there are successful and I can get multiple bottles for members of this forum. Cross your fingers.

I'm glad to see so much enthusiasm about a bourbon release (I think!), but I also think there are too many folks with their hopes up. Reread that C-J article -- there are 100 retailers getting ANY. Nationwide. Worldwide. And nary a one of them is under any obligation to sell a single bottle. I know quite a few retailers who set aside special bottles for future speculation.
I, too, have put in a word with a retailer or two I think might be on Buffalo Trace's favored list. But I don't have any delusions about what it's going to take to get one or more of these -- luck, simply being the right guy in the right place when one comes up for sale.